China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 935 Let’s talk
The list of jury members for the main competition of the 66th Cannes Film Festival was finally officially released by the festival organizing committee on an afternoon in late April.

Like pouring a ladle of cold water into a boiling oil pan, it instantly caused an uproar throughout the entire Chinese entertainment industry.

Although domestic film box office revenue has been rising steadily in the past two years, seemingly with box office revenue being king, the industry's attention to the "Big Three" European film festivals has not diminished at all.

Perhaps because the odds of winning the prize were so slim, he outwardly appeared indifferent, but secretly he was working incredibly hard. How awesome it would be if he could win a big prize!

Although this wasn't an award, the judges' opinions were more convincing.

On the list, below jury president Steven Spielberg, among the long string of internationally renowned names, the two Chinese characters "Sun Yi" stand out, even seeming somewhat out of place.

Breaking News! Sun Yi Invited to Serve as Jury Member for the Main Competition at the Cannes Film Festival!

[Youngest ever! 26-year-old Sun Yi shines on the Cannes jury seat!]

[A shining example for the Chinese people! Following Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Li An, Sun Yi becomes the fourth Chinese director to hold the power of life and death over the Palme d'Or! Sun Yi's international career has reached new heights!]

The internet is a wonderful thing; within half an hour of the list being announced, the news dominated the headlines of major domestic portals and entertainment sections. The terms "Sun Yi" and "Cannes" once again climbed to the top of Weibo's trending topics.

"Awesome!!! (voice cracks)"

"My goodness, a 26-year-old Cannes jury member? That's like he's on a rocket!"

"Although... Director Sun's 'Gravity' is indeed amazing, and his 'The Intouchables' deservedly won awards back then, but it's only been a few years, isn't the speed a bit too exaggerated?"

"The person upstairs is getting all worked up? Is it so hard to admit someone else is good? Director Sun earned his success through solid works and international influence! His subsequent films, like 'The Vanished Guest' and 'Dallas Buyers Club,' were all award-winning. If you ask me, what's wrong with being 26? He should be the chairman of the jury!"

"He's really made us Chinese proud! I'm looking forward to Director Sun's performance on the judging panel!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, am I the only one who noticed that Nicole Kidman, Luc Besson, and Christoph Waltz are on the jury list? Director Sun, you've got quite the entourage!"

The media coverage was almost unanimously praising and expressing pride in their participation, as if they wished they were the judges.

But after all, this is indeed a good thing, and it is yet another solid proof of the rising international status of Chinese filmmakers.

Sun Yi's age and non-art film background caused some minor controversy, but it was quickly overshadowed by his solid track record.

Meanwhile, with the rise of the Cannes Film Festival, various film and television bloggers have created popular science videos related to the festival, further enhancing the perceived value of Sun Yi's Palme d'Or win among netizens.

It's already showing signs of a trend like Director Chen, where one award can sustain a person's livelihood for a lifetime.

Xingkong's phone was ringing off the hook, filled with interview requests and congratulatory messages. Sun Yi's phone wasn't spared either; text messages and WeChat notifications never stopped.

It's fine if it's someone else's call; I can just reply with a thank-you text. But I can't ignore a call from Section Chief Jia.

As soon as the call connected, Jia Zhangke's sarcastic remarks, delivered in a thick Shanxi accent, came crashing down on me:
"Judge Sun! You're something else! Trying to play the big shot with me? Yesterday you were analyzing why this year's judges list hasn't been announced yet, giving me all sorts of detailed explanations, but it was all just a smokescreen? Trying to fool your old brother? Just waiting to make a fool of me!"

Look at how they're trying to gain popularity through culture; they're all acting like big bad wolves.

"Oh dear, Section Chief Jia, Teacher Jia, you've really wronged me this time. I'm not faking it." Sun Yi quickly smiled apologetically and begged for forgiveness. "I only received the invitation yesterday after I finished my work and got home. My husband received it for me. I really didn't have any news about it before."

"Think about it, why did the list of judges come out so late this year? It's probably because they wanted someone else, but their schedules couldn't be coordinated. In the end, they had no choice but to select me from a bunch of candidates. It's like picking the tallest among the short."

Sun Yi made a self-deprecating joke, intending to comfort Section Chief Jia's wounded heart, but unexpectedly it made Jia laugh instead.

"Pick the best among the worst? So, I didn't even make it out!"

"Hey! Teacher Jia, what's wrong with you?"

Sun Yi gave a wry smile.

I'm not afraid of intellectuals being reasonable; I'm afraid of them taking things too seriously.

"Alright, alright, stop pretending. I was just saying a few words to you, and you took it seriously." Jia Zhangke laughed, his tone noticeably softening. "Am I really that petty and jealous of others' success?"

"I'm calling to congratulate you, Judge Sun!" "Ha, Professor Jia, look at you, you scared me half to death." Sun Yi breathed a sigh of relief; he really thought Section Chief Jia was calling to interrogate him.

After all, it was yesterday, right?

"Oh, by the way, Teacher Jia, there's something I need to ask you about."

"explain."

"Well, you see, this is my first time being a judge, especially in such a big setting. Professor Jia, you are very experienced. Could you please give me some pointers on the specific procedures?"

"Oh dear, there's something that Judge Sun doesn't know. This matter needs to be discussed properly."

"Teacher Jia, please enlighten me."

"Okay, fine." Jia Zhangke was very satisfied with Sun Yi's attitude, his tone revealing a hint of pride.

To be fair, when Jia Zhangke, one of the representative figures of the sixth generation of Chinese directors, made his name at major international film festivals, Sun Yi was still relatively unknown.

Since the beginning of the millennium, he has frequently appeared in various awards, receiving nominations in all three major European awards, and even multiple nominations. Finally, in 06, he won a Golden Lion for "Still Life".

Judging from the results, he seems to be one step behind Sun Yi in winning the Palme d'Or, but Sun Yi has participated many times and has been a judge since 08, so his experience is undeniable.

Sun Yi was also thinking of learning from Section Chief Jia because of this. After all, Jia was so young to be a judge in the main competition at Cannes. From his perspective, the attention from all sides would definitely be very high, so he had to understand the relevant procedures in advance so as not to embarrass himself on the international stage.

Section Chief Jia understands Sun Yi's mentality all too well. When he was first invited to be a judge, his situation was very similar to Sun Yi's now, and he also consulted with a senior in the industry.

Looking back now, many years have passed. Talented people emerge in every generation, and each new generation surpasses the old.

After a brief moment of reflection, he straightened his tone and slowly said to Sun Yi, "As you probably know, the jury for the main competition consists of people from the film and cultural arts circles of various countries. They usually include well-known directors, actors, screenwriters, film critics, composers, and so on. One person serves as the chairman, and the others are jury members."

"The judging process involves three stages: film screening, discussion, and voting."

"During the screening session, the judges will gather in a dedicated screening room and watch two to three films in one day. They may also go to a large cinema to watch the premiere, depending on the specific arrangements of the organizing committee."

"The discussion session is quite complex. The judges hold a discussion every two to three days. During the discussion, each judge shares their feelings about the film, and the chairman of the jury guides everyone to explore the details of the film in depth. Basically, the score of each film in the competition is derived from the jury's discussion."

"Oh, by the way, there will be a final discussion on the morning of the awards ceremony, which may last for more than four hours, so you should be prepared for that."

"Finally, there is the voting process, which usually involves two rounds: one round with an absolute majority and the other with a relative majority. The voting is conducted anonymously to determine the winners of each award."

"That's roughly the process. As for the details, it's not convenient to talk about them over the phone. When do you have time, I'd like to invite you to dinner so I can explain it to you in person."

"Teacher Jia, how can you invite me? I should be the one inviting you," Sun Yi said humbly.

"No need, no need. Perfect timing. I'll bring my film with me, let's watch it together, and I'll tell you about it."

"A movie?"

Sun Yi was a little confused; how did the topic of movies come up again?

"Ah, that's me, the film I submitted to the competition this year, 'A Touch of Sin'! Let me briefly tell you the core of my story!"

!!!

Sun Yi didn't react at first, but then he understood.

"Oh, I see. Well then, Teacher Jia, we need to discuss this matter properly."

　I've been really busy this month, I'm sorry everyone.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)